Driver training is not required in most states, but many states make it cheaper or easier if you take it

You do not need to complete a formal driver training course to get your license in any U.S. state. However, the rules change based on your age. If you are under 18, your state may require you to take a driver education course, a behind-the-wheel training program, or both before you can take your road test. If you are 18 or older, you can usually skip training entirely and go straight to the written test and road test — but doing so often means paying higher insurance rates and missing out on insurance discounts that come with a training certificate.

The real question is not whether you need training to get licensed, but whether training makes sense for your situation. This depends on your age, your state's rules, how much you already know about driving, and whether you want to lower your insurance costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Drivers under 18 in most states must complete driver education, behind-the-wheel training, or both before taking the road test.
  • Drivers 18 and older can take the road test without any training in most states, though some states require a supervised practice period.
  • Insurance companies often offer discounts of 5 to 15 percent for completing an approved driver training course, which can save hundreds of dollars over time.
  • Driver education covers traffic laws and hazard recognition; behind-the-wheel training teaches you to operate the vehicle with an instructor present.
  • Online driver education courses are available in most states and cost less than in-person classroom courses, though behind-the-wheel training must happen in person.

Training requirements for drivers under 18

If you are under 18, your state almost certainly requires some form of driver training before you can take your road test. The two main types are driver education (classroom or online instruction about traffic laws, road signs, and hazard recognition) and behind-the-wheel training (hands-on driving instruction with a certified instructor in a vehicle).

Some states require both. Others let you choose one or the other. A few states allow you to substitute a parent-taught driver training program — meaning a parent or guardian teaches you to drive under state guidelines, and you log a certain number of supervised driving hours before taking the test. The specific rules vary by state, so check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see what applies to you.

Most states also require a supervised practice period after you pass your written test but before you take your road test. During this time, you must drive with a licensed adult (usually a parent or guardian) for a set number of hours — commonly 30 to 50 hours, with some of those hours at night. This is separate from behind-the-wheel training with an instructor.

Training requirements for drivers 18 and older

Once you turn 18, you are no longer required to take driver education or behind-the-wheel training in most states. You can take your written test and road test without any formal instruction. However, a few states still require a supervised practice period or a minimum number of hours behind the wheel before you can take the road test, even at 18.

The catch is insurance. Most insurance companies offer a discount — typically 5 to 15 percent off your premium — if you complete an approved driver training course and provide a certificate of completion. For a new driver, this discount can save $200 to $500 or more over the first few years of driving. If you are 18 or older and skipping training, ask your insurance company whether a training course would lower your rate before you decide.

What driver education courses cover

Driver education teaches you the rules of the road: traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and how to recognize hazards. It covers topics like distracted driving, impaired driving, and how to handle different weather and road conditions. Most courses also teach you how to operate the vehicle itself — where the controls are, how to adjust mirrors, and basic vehicle maintenance.

Driver education can be taken in a classroom, online, or sometimes as a hybrid (some lessons online, some in person). Online courses are usually cheaper and more flexible, since you can work through them at your own pace. Classroom courses are more structured and may include group discussion. Both types teach the same material and satisfy state requirements equally.

Driver education does not teach you to actually drive. That is what behind-the-wheel training is for. You can pass driver education without ever sitting in the driver's seat.

What behind-the-wheel training covers

Behind-the-wheel training is hands-on instruction with a certified instructor in a real vehicle. The instructor teaches you how to start the car, steer, brake, accelerate, turn, park, and handle different road situations. You learn how to merge onto highways, drive in traffic, navigate intersections, and respond to unexpected hazards. The instructor sits beside you, gives feedback, and can take control of the vehicle if necessary.

Behind-the-wheel training must happen in person — there is no online substitute. Sessions are usually 1 to 2 hours long, and most states require between 6 and 10 hours of instruction before you are ready for your road test. Some students need more; some need less. The instructor will tell you when you are ready.

Behind-the-wheel training is more expensive than driver education, often costing $50 to $150 per hour depending on your location and the instructor's experience. However, it is the most direct way to prepare for your road test, since the road test itself is a behind-the-wheel evaluation.

Parent-taught driver training as an alternative

Several states allow you to skip formal behind-the-wheel training if a parent or guardian teaches you to drive instead. This is called parent-taught driver training or a parent-supervised practice program. You still have to complete driver education, but you log your driving hours with a parent rather than paying an instructor.

If your state offers this option, you will need to follow specific rules: the parent must be at least a certain age (usually 21 or older) and hold a valid driver's license, you must log a set number of hours (often 30 to 50), and you may need to have a parent sign off on a form confirming that you have completed the hours. Some states require a certain number of those hours to be at night or in heavy traffic.

This option saves money but requires a parent who has time to teach you and is comfortable doing so. It also means your practice is less structured than with a professional instructor — a parent can teach you to operate the vehicle, but may not catch all the same mistakes or teach you the same techniques as someone trained to instruct.

How training affects your insurance rates

Insurance companies view driver training as a sign that you are less likely to have an accident. Most insurers offer a discount if you complete an approved driver training course and submit a certificate of completion. The discount is usually 5 to 15 percent and applies to your liability and collision coverage.

For a new driver, this can mean real savings. If your annual premium is $2,000, a 10 percent discount saves you $200 per year. Over three years, that is $600 — often more than the cost of the training itself. Some insurers also offer discounts for defensive driving courses, which are short refresher courses you can take even after you are licensed.

Not all insurers offer the same discount, and not all courses may have access to. Before you take a course, ask your insurance company which courses they recognize and what discount you will receive. Some insurers require the course to be taken before you get your license; others allow it after. Some require the course to be from a specific provider.

Deciding whether training makes sense for you

If you are under 18, your state has already made the decision for you — you need to complete whatever training your state requires. Your only choice is usually which provider to use and whether to take driver education online or in a classroom.

If you are 18 or older, you have more flexibility. Consider taking a training course if any of these explore: you want to lower your insurance rates, you have never driven before and feel nervous about the road test, you live in a state with a high road test failure rate, or your insurance company offers a significant discount for completing a course. Skip training if you have substantial driving experience already (for example, you have driven on private land or in other countries), you are confident about the road test, or the cost is a real burden and your insurance company does not offer a discount.

Remember that training is not a may provide of passing your road test. It prepares you, but the test itself is an evaluation of your actual driving ability. Some people pass without training; others need training and still take the test more than once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my road test without any training if I am under 18?

No. Every state requires some form of training — either driver education, behind-the-wheel training, or both — before you can take your road test if you are under 18. Your state's DMV website lists exactly what you need. Some states also allow parent-taught training as an alternative to professional instruction.

Is online driver education as good as classroom driver education?

Both teach the same material and satisfy state requirements equally. Online courses are cheaper and more flexible; classroom courses are more structured and interactive. Neither teaches you to actually drive — that is what behind-the-wheel training does. Choose based on your learning style and schedule.

How many hours of behind-the-wheel training do I need?

Most states recommend 6 to 10 hours, but the exact number depends on how quickly you learn and your state's guidelines. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready for your road test. Some students need more hours; some need fewer. The goal is to be ready, not to hit a specific number.

Will taking a driver training course may provide I pass my road test?

No. Training prepares you for the test, but the test itself evaluates your actual driving ability. Some people pass without training; others complete training and still need to retake the test. Training improves your chances, but does not may provide a pass.

Can I get an insurance discount if I take driver training after I am already licensed?

Yes, many insurance companies offer discounts for defensive driving courses taken after you are licensed. These are usually shorter courses (4 to 8 hours) that cover hazard recognition and safe driving techniques. Ask your insurance company which courses they recognize and what discount applies.